India’s 38th tiger reserve and Kerala’s second was Friday declared open by environment and forests minister Jairam Ramesh. It would be known as the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve.There has been a sharp decline in the number of tigers in India, with only 1,411 of them left, according to official estimates.

The tiger reserve was known as the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary when it was set up in 1973 in a 285-sq-km protected area in Chittur area of Palakkad.Another 358 sq km of forests were added, and the tiger reserve now has an area of 643 sq km.
It has a rich diversity of animal life. It also has a variety of trees, including teak, neem, sandalwood and rosewood.Kerala’s first tiger reserve — Periyar Tiger Reserve — is situated in Thekkadi in Idukki district.